Vented hot water supply apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hot water supply apparatus wherein cold water is introduced into a closed tank to displace hot water from the tank through a siphon outlet. A three-way valve is provided for controlling the delivery of the cold water to the tank and for automatically venting the tank during the siphoning operation at the conclusion of the cold water delivery.

United States Patent 137/145, 99/307 1111. c1 A47j3l/46 FieldofSearch 137/143, 145, 136, 146, 588, 592, 216; 99/282, 300, 307

ReierencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 995,930 6/1911 Walker 137/216 ii 0 "F1 1/ El 2 26 v l 17 I'll 11* a 5 43 l i zZ 38- l Charles J. Vitous VENTED HOT WATER SUPPLY APPARATUS 13 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

us. C1

Primary Examiner-M. Cary Nelson Assistant Examiner-Michael O. Sturm A rmmey- Hofgren, Wegner. Allen. Stellman & McCorcl ABSTRACT: A hot water supply apparatus wherein cold water is introduced into a closed tank to displace hot water from the tank through a siphon outlet. A three-way valve is provided for controlling the delivery of the cold water to the tank and for automatically venting the tank during the siphoning operation at the conclusion of thecold water delivery.

PATENTEDJUNZQIM 3,5 9,3 5

Maid zzwl/d VENTED HOT WATER SUPPLY APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to hot water supply apparatuses and in particular to hot water supply apparatuses utilizing a siphon outlet for providing an expansion space within a closed hot water heating tank.

2. Description of the Prior Art In one form of hot water supply apparatus, cold water is introduced into a closed tank to displace previously heated water and cause discharge thereof through a siphon outlet communicating with an upper portion of the tank. The cold water is delivered into a lower portion of the tank and acts as a piston in moving the previously heated hot water upwardly to pass outwardly through the siphon outlet. Upon completion of the delivery of cold water, hot water continues to be discharged through the siphon'outlet by a siphoning action until the level of the hot water in the tank drops to the level of the inlet to the siphon in the tank whereupon the siphon action is broken. Resultingly, a space is automatically provided in the upper portion of the tank upon completion of adelivery cycle which space is preselected to accommodate the expansion of the cold water resulting from the subsequent heating thereof to the hot water temperature. The expansion space is desirable to prevent drip of the hot water from the outlet which is open at all times, the control of the delivery being effected by control of the delivery of the cold water as discussed above.

To provide improved positive siphoning action at the conclusion of the cold water delivery, it is desirable to vent the upper portion of the tank. Venting the upper portion of the tank presents a problem where the cold water delivery is from a source of pressurized water, such as a conventional community water system. Thus, if the vent is open at all times, the incoming cold water may flow in sufficiently rapidly relative to the outflow of the siphon outlet to raise the level to the vent and cause discharge through the vent as well as through the siphon outlet. One solution of this problem has been to run the vent to adjacent the discharge end of the siphon outlet so that any hot water which may flow out through the vent will merely be delivered to the same location as by the siphon outlet. Such a solution has the disadvantage of delivering the hot water in a somewhat uncontrolled manner. Such irregular delivery presents serious problems where the apparatus is used in beverage-brewing devices and the like where uniform distribution of the delivered water is desirable.

Another method of venting such hot water supply apparatus has been to provide a vent to the upper portion of the tank which is extremely small in size to limit the rate of flow of air outwardly therethrough such that the rise of hot water in the tank during the preselected delivery of cold water thereto does not reach the vent opening. Such a system has the disadvantage of permitting only relatively slow airflow and the possibility of expelling hot water in an undesirable manner from the tank.

A further attempted solution to the problem has been to provide controlled vents which are operated selectively to open the top of the tank to atmosphere at selected times and close the tank at all other times. Such controlled vents have the disadvantage of relatively high cost and possible malfunctioning as by opening of the vent when the cold water is being delivered to the tank whereby the hot water is again permitted to flow out through the vent in an undesirable manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved hot water supply apparatus wherein means are provided for coordinating the cold water delivery and venting of the tank in a novel manner assuring positive controlled operation of the hot water delivery, More specifically, the invention comprehends the provision in a hot water supply apparatus having a closed tank,

an outlet siphon for discharging hot water from an upper portion of the tank as the result of a delivery of water into the tank to raise the level of the water to initiate flow through the siphon, and means for heating water in the tank, the improvement including means defining an inlet to the tank for delivering a quantity of cold water from a pressurized source into the tank to displace a substantially corresponding quantity of hot water from the tank through the siphon, a valve controlling the inlet for selectively (a) opening the inlet to the source to deliver cold water thereto, and (b) closing the inlet to the source and concurrently opening the inlet to atmosphere thereby to vent the tank upon discontinuation of delivery of cold water thereto and permit the siphon to free siphon hot water from the tank to form an expansion space in the upper portion of the tank to accommodate expansion of the delivered cold water 'as a result of the heating thereof in the tank, the valve closing the tank to atmosphere during the delivery of cold water to the tank whereby hot water is discharged from the tank solely through the siphon at that time.

Further, more specifically, the invention comprehends the use of a three-way valve as the means for controlling the cold water delivery and venting action.

Further, more specifically, the invention comprehends the provision in the hot water tank of means defining a receiving chamber, the chamber means having an opening in an upper portion thereof for receiving cold water from the inlet, and an opening in a lower portion thereof for conducting the received cold water into the tank exteriorly of the receiving chamber. In the specific illustrated embodiment, the receiving chamber means is defined by a tube wherein the upper end thereof comprises the upper chamber opening and the lower end thereof comprises the lower chamber opening.

The valve may be timer controlled to provide a preselected quantity of cold water and resultingly, a preselected quantity of hot water from the tank as desired.

Thus, the invention comprehends the provision of new and improved valve means positively precluding venting of the tank during the delivery of cold water thereto while yet positively venting the tank at all other times. The cold water delivery control and vent means is extremely simple and economical of construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein the figure is a schematic vertical diametric section of a hot water supply apparatus embodying the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as shown in the drawing, a hot water supply apparatus generally designated 10 is shown to comprise a tank 1 1 having a bottom wall 12, sidewall 13, and a top wall, or head, 14 removably sealingly secured to the upper end 15 of the sidewall 13 as by suitable screws 16 and sealing gasket 17. The tank head 14 effectively sealingly closes the tank except for the provision of an inlet 18 and an outlet 19 extending herein through the top wall, it being understood that the inlet and outlet may extend through other walls of the tank as desired. The inlet 18 is defined by a duct 20 having an end 21 opening into the top of the tank 11 and connected exteriorly of the tank to a threeway valve 22. Cold water is delivered through the inlet 18 from a source of pressurized water S. Illustratively, the inlet 18 may be connected to the cold water main of a conventional community water supply.

Three-way valve 22 may comprise any suitable valve construction and illustratively herein comprises a conventional rotor 23 which selectively connects the inlet 18 to the pressurized supply S as shown in full lines in the drawing, and connects the inlet 18 to a vent passage 24 in the valve as shown in dotted lines. As shown, the inlet 18 is vented only when the valve is arranged to prevent flow of cold water through the inlet 18 from the supply Source S. The valve is biased so as to connect the inlet 18 to the vent passage 24 at all other times whereby the upper portion of the tank is vented in the normal condition of the valve 22.

The outlet 19 comprises a siphon tube 25 having an inlet end 26 within the tank 11 and spaced a preselected distance below the tank head 14 to define a water level 27. The space 28 between water level 27 and the tank head 14 comprises an ex ansion space portion of the tank as will be brought out more fully hereinafter. As shown in the drawing, the siphon tube 25 may extend upwardly through an opening 29 in the tank head 14 to an uppermost portion 30. The siphon tube further defines a downturned discharge end 31 terminating in a conventional spray head 32 or other discharge means as desired. The spray head 32 as shown is preferably disposed below the level of the inlet end 26 to provide siphon functioning in the normal manner.

As shown, the inlet 18 includes a downturned portion 33 extending through an opening 34 in the tank head 14 to dispose its inner end 21 in the expansion space 28. lnlet tube portion 33 may be sealed to the tank head 14 by a suitable gasket 35 and siphon tube portion 31 may be suitably sealed thereto by a gasket 36.

Within tank 11 and subjacent the inlet tube end 21 is provided a means defining a receiving chamber 37 illustratively comprising a large diameter tube 38 having its upper end 39 coaxially circumjacent the inlet end 21 and its lower end 40 spaced slightly above the bottom wall 12 of the tank 11. The tube 38 may be secured in place within the tank by means ofa suitable bracket 41 connecting the tube to the underside of the tank head 14. Thus, as shown in the drawing, the upper end of the tube 38 extends to closely adjacent tank head 14 and substantially above the water level 27.

A conventional heating element 42 may be provided in the lower portion of the tank for heating the water therein. Further, a conventional thermostat 43 may be provided for controlling the heating element 42 to maintain the water at a preselected high temperature.

The operation of hot water supply apparatus is extremely simple. After each delivery of hot water from the tank, the water level in the tank is brought to level 27 by the siphon action of outlet 19. More specifically, when valve 22 is operated to connect inlet 18 to the pressurized water source S, as shown in the drawing, cold water is admitted to the tank through inlet 18. The cold water flows downwardly through the receiving chamber tube 38 into the lower end of the tank through the lower end 40 of the tube. This causes the level of hot water in the outlet 19 to rise until it overflows the uppermost portion 30 of the siphon outlet 19 whereupon delivery of the hot water through the spray head 32 is commenced. The delivery of water from the tank is continued for as long as the valve 22 remains in this arrangement. Control of the valve 22 may be affected by a conventional timer apparatus generally designated 44 maintaining the valve open for a preselected time corresponding to a preselected quantity of water desired to be delivered from the apparatus 10. The valve may include a conventional solenoid operator 45 for electrical control of the valve by the timer 44. Such timers and solenoid-operated valves are well known in the art and no further specific description need be given herein.

During the delivery of the cold water to the tank, the level of water in the tank may rise somewhat against the pressure of the compressed air trapped thereabove in the tank. When the timer 44 deenergizes the valve to permit the rotor 23 to move to its normal position connecting the inlet 18 to the vent passage 24 and concurrently terminating delivery of cold water to the tank, the level of water drops as a result of the continued delivery thereof through the spray head 32 until the level reaches level 27 at the inlet end 26 of the siphon tube. As the space 28 is freely vented through vent passage 24 during this time, the level of water unimpededly drops to level 27 whereupon the siphon action is broken by connection of the siphon through the inlet end 26 to vented space 28.

Any hot water remaining in the siphon tube may quickly drain out through spray head 32 thereby quickly and positively terminating the delivery of water from apparatus 10.

As the newly introduced cold water is now heated by heating element 42, it expands in tank 11 to raise the level thereof above level 27. However, as the siphon extend to substantially above the highest level attainable as a result of such heating of such water in the tank, no hot water is caused to pass outwardly through the outlet 19 as a result of the expansion.

The tube 38 effectively conducts the cold water to the bottom of the tank for displacement of the hot water upwardly from the bottom of the tank with minimum intermixing of the cold and hot water. At the same time, the venting of the tank is substantially unimpeded from space 28 by the free opening of duct end 21 thereto within the upper end of the tube 38.

Thus, valve 22 functions to provide selectively cold water or air into the tank 11. The valve 22 comprises a conventional low-cost solenoid-operated three-way valve providing this improved functioning in a simple and economical manner. As at the result of the simple construction of the apparatus 10, the apparatus may have a long maintenance-free life.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it is understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. in a hot water supply apparatus having a closed tank, an outlet siphon for discharging hot water from an upper portion of the tank as the result of a delivery of water into the tank to raise the level of the water to initiate flow through the siphon, and means for heating water in the tank, the improvement comprising: means defining an inlet to said tank for delivering a quantity of cold water from a pressurized source into the tank; duct means for conducting the delivered cold water into a body of hot water in the tank at a lower portion of the tank to displace a substantially corresponding quantity of the hot water from the tank through said siphon and defining means providing communication between the inlet and an upper portion of the tank; and a valve controlling said inlet for selectively (a) opening said inlet to said source to deliver cold water thereto, and (b) closing said inlet to said source and concurrently opening said inlet to atmosphere at a position above the level of the outlet siphon thereby to vent the upper portion of the tank outwardly through said inlet upon discontinuation of delivery of cold water thereto and permit said siphon to freely siphon hot water from the tank subsequent to such discontinuation of delivery of cold water thereto to form an expansion space in said upper portion of the tank to accommodate expansion of the delivered cold water as a result of the heating thereof in the tank, said valve closing said tank to atmosphere during the delivery of cold water to the tank whereby hot water is discharged from the tank solely through said siphon at that time.

2. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said duct means comprises a receiving chamber having an opening in an upper portion thereof for receiving cold water from said inlet, and an opening in a lower portion thereof for conducting the received cold water into the tank exteriorly of said receiving chamber.

3. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 2 wherein said receiving chamber duct comprises a tube, said upper portion opening comprises the upper open end of the tube, and said lower portion opening comprises the lower open end of the tube.

4. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve comprises a three-way valve.

5. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 further including timer means controlling the operation of said valve for providing a preselected quantity of cold water to said tank.

6. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet comprises a duct defining a flow passage connecting said valve to said tank.

7'. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet opens to said expansion space.

8. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet opens to said tank at a level below the uppermost level of said siphon.

9. In a hot water supply apparatus having a closed tank, an outlet siphon for discharging hot water from an upper portion of the tank as the result of a delivery of water into the tank to raise the level of the water to initiate flow through the siphon, and means for heating water in the tank, the improvement comprising: means defining an inlet to said tank for delivering a quantity of cold water from a pressurized source into the tank to displace a substantially corresponding quantity of hot water from the tank through said siphon; and a valve controlling said inlet for selectively (a) opening said inlet to said source to deliver cold water thereto, and (b) closing said inlet to said source and concurrently opening said inlet to atmosphere thereby to vent the tank upon discontinuation of delivery of cold water thereto and permit said siphon to freely siphon hot water from the tank to form an expansion space in said upper portion of the tank to accommodate expansion of the delivered cold water as a result of the heating thereof in the tank, said valve closing said tank to atmosphere during the delivery of cold water to the tank whereby hot water is discharged from the tank solely through said siphon at that time said valve being provided with an outlet opening to atmosphere above the uppermost level of said siphon, said valve connecting said inlet to said valve outlet upon closing of the passage to said pressurized source.

10. In a hot water supply apparatus having a closed tank, an outlet siphon for discharging hot water from an upper portion of the tank as the result of a delivery of water into the tank to raise the level of the water to initiate flow through the siphon, and means for heating water in the tank, the improvement comprising: means defining an inlet to said tank for delivering a quantity of cold water from a pressurized source into the tank; duct means for conducting the delivered'cold water into a body of hot water in the tank at a lower portion of the tank to displace a substantially corresponding quantity of the hot water from the tank through said siphon and defining means providing communication between the inlet and an upper portion of the tank; and a valve controlling said inlet for selectively (a) opening said inlet to said source to deliver cold water thereto, and (b) closing said inlet to said source and concurrently opening said inlet to atmosphere at a position above the level of the outlet siphon thereby to vent the upper portion of the tank outwardly through said inlet upon discontinuation of delivery of cold water thereto to form an expansion space in said upper portion of the tank to accommodate expansion of the delivered cold water as a result of the heating thereof in the tank, said valve closing said tank to atmosphere during the delivery of cold water to the tank whereby hot water is discharged from the tank solely through said siphon at that time, said valve defining means for causing said inlet to be open to atmosphere at all times other than when said inlet is open to said source of pressurized water,

11. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve includes first means for selectively permitting and preventing cold water delivery from said source to said inlet, and second means for preventing venting of the tank when said first means is arranged to permit said cold water delivery, and causing venting of the tank when said first means is arranged to prevent said cold water delivery.

12. The hot water supply apparatus of claim ll wherein said valve includes a valve body defining an internal chamber, a first port communicating with said chamber defining a vent passage, a second port communicating with said chamber defining a passage for conducting water from said chamber to said inlet, a third port communicating with said chamber defining a passage for delivering water from said source into said chamber, and movable valve means in said chamber for selectively providing communications between said first and second ports through said chamber while concurrently blocking communication between said chamber and said third port.

13. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 11 wherein said valve includes a valve body defining an internal chamber, a first port communicating with said chamber defining a vent passage, a second port communicating with said chamber defining a passage for conducting water from said chamber to said inlet, a third port communicating with said chamber defining a passage for delivering water from said source into said chamber, and movable valve means in said chamber for selectively providing communication between said second and third ports through said chamber while concurrently blocking communication between said chamber and said first port. 

1. In a hot water supply apparatus having a closed tank, an outlet siphon for discharging hot water from an upper portion of the tank as the result of a delivery of water into the tank to raise the level of the water to initiate flow through the siphon, and means for heating water in the tank, the improvement comprising: means defining an inlet to said tank for delivering a quantity of cold water from a pressurized source into the tank; duct means for conducting the delivered cold water into a body of hot water in the tank at a lower portion of the tank to displace a substantially corresponding quantity of the hot water from the tank through said siphon and defining means providing communication between the inlet and an upper portion of the tank; and a valve controlling said inlet for selectively (a) opening said inlet to said source to deliver cold water thereto, and (b) closing said inlet to said source and concurrently opening said inlet to atmosphere at a position above the level of the outlet siphon thereby to vent the upper portion of the tank outwardly through said inlet upon discontinuation of delivery of cold water thereto and permit said siphon to freely siphon hot water from the tank subsequent to such discoNtinuation of delivery of cold water thereto to form an expansion space in said upper portion of the tank to accommodate expansion of the delivered cold water as a result of the heating thereof in the tank, said valve closing said tank to atmosphere during the delivery of cold water to the tank whereby hot water is discharged from the tank solely through said siphon at that time.
 2. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said duct means comprises a receiving chamber having an opening in an upper portion thereof for receiving cold water from said inlet, and an opening in a lower portion thereof for conducting the received cold water into the tank exteriorly of said receiving chamber.
 3. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 2 wherein said receiving chamber duct comprises a tube, said upper portion opening comprises the upper open end of the tube, and said lower portion opening comprises the lower open end of the tube.
 4. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve comprises a three-way valve.
 5. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 further including timer means controlling the operation of said valve for providing a preselected quantity of cold water to said tank.
 6. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet comprises a duct defining a flow passage connecting said valve to said tank.
 7. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet opens to said expansion space.
 8. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inlet opens to said tank at a level below the uppermost level of said siphon.
 9. In a hot water supply apparatus having a closed tank, an outlet siphon for discharging hot water from an upper portion of the tank as the result of a delivery of water into the tank to raise the level of the water to initiate flow through the siphon, and means for heating water in the tank, the improvement comprising: means defining an inlet to said tank for delivering a quantity of cold water from a pressurized source into the tank to displace a substantially corresponding quantity of hot water from the tank through said siphon; and a valve controlling said inlet for selectively (a) opening said inlet to said source to deliver cold water thereto, and (b) closing said inlet to said source and concurrently opening said inlet to atmosphere thereby to vent the tank upon discontinuation of delivery of cold water thereto and permit said siphon to freely siphon hot water from the tank to form an expansion space in said upper portion of the tank to accommodate expansion of the delivered cold water as a result of the heating thereof in the tank, said valve closing said tank to atmosphere during the delivery of cold water to the tank whereby hot water is discharged from the tank solely through said siphon at that time said valve being provided with an outlet opening to atmosphere above the uppermost level of said siphon, said valve connecting said inlet to said valve outlet upon closing of the passage to said pressurized source.
 10. In a hot water supply apparatus having a closed tank, an outlet siphon for discharging hot water from an upper portion of the tank as the result of a delivery of water into the tank to raise the level of the water to initiate flow through the siphon, and means for heating water in the tank, the improvement comprising: means defining an inlet to said tank for delivering a quantity of cold water from a pressurized source into the tank; duct means for conducting the delivered cold water into a body of hot water in the tank at a lower portion of the tank to displace a substantially corresponding quantity of the hot water from the tank through said siphon and defining means providing communication between the inlet and an upper portion of the tank; and a valve controlling said inlet for selectively (a) opening said inlet to said source to deliver cold water thereto, and (b) closing said inlet to said source and concurrently opening said inlet to atmosphere at a position above the level of the outlet siphon thereby to vent the upper portion of the tank outwardly through said inlet upon discontinuation of delivery of cold water thereto to form an expansion space in said upper portion of the tank to accommodate expansion of the delivered cold water as a result of the heating thereof in the tank, said valve closing said tank to atmosphere during the delivery of cold water to the tank whereby hot water is discharged from the tank solely through said siphon at that time, said valve defining means for causing said inlet to be open to atmosphere at all times other than when said inlet is open to said source of pressurized water.
 11. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve includes first means for selectively permitting and preventing cold water delivery from said source to said inlet, and second means for preventing venting of the tank when said first means is arranged to permit said cold water delivery, and causing venting of the tank when said first means is arranged to prevent said cold water delivery.
 12. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 11 wherein said valve includes a valve body defining an internal chamber, a first port communicating with said chamber defining a vent passage, a second port communicating with said chamber defining a passage for conducting water from said chamber to said inlet, a third port communicating with said chamber defining a passage for delivering water from said source into said chamber, and movable valve means in said chamber for selectively providing communications between said first and second ports through said chamber while concurrently blocking communication between said chamber and said third port.
 13. The hot water supply apparatus of claim 11 wherein said valve includes a valve body defining an internal chamber, a first port communicating with said chamber defining a vent passage, a second port communicating with said chamber defining a passage for conducting water from said chamber to said inlet, a third port communicating with said chamber defining a passage for delivering water from said source into said chamber, and movable valve means in said chamber for selectively providing communication between said second and third ports through said chamber while concurrently blocking communication between said chamber and said first port. 